Coating compositions containing acrylic and aliphatic polyester blends

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are solvent borne thermosetting coating compositions containing curable, aliphatic polyesters, acrylic copolymers, crosslinkers, and nonaqueous solvents. The aliphatic polyesters contain 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol. Blends of acrylic copolymers with these aliphatic polyesters exhibit good compatibility, viscosity reduction, and good Tg retention. Coating compositions formulated from these blends exhibit high gloss, hardness with flexibility; solvent and chemical resistance; and outdoor durability.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to thermosetting coating compositions. More particularly, this invention pertains to thermosetting coating compositions comprising a curable, aliphatic polyester containing 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, a thermosetting acrylic copolymer, a crosslinker, and a solvent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Acrylics and polyesters are common types of resins used in the manufacture of solvent borne thermosetting coatings. Acrylics are known for their excellent hardness, fast dry times, scratch, stain, chemical, and humidity resistance, and outdoor durability. They can be formulated to a very high glass transition temperature (Tg) and exhibit excellent light stability and hydrolysis resistance. Acrylic coatings, however, often lack flexibility and require high levels of solvent in the coating formulation to achieve a practical application viscosity. The high solvent requirement for acrylics makes it difficult to satisfy VOC (volatile organic compound) content regulations as mandated by various federal and state air quality organizations.

By contrast, polyesters are ideally suited to formulate low VOC content or “high solids” coatings and provide a good balance of performance properties. Polyesters, however, typically do not weather as well as acrylics. Blends of acrylic and polyester resins can be used to achieve high solids, solvent borne thermoset coatings with desirable properties. Coating compositions comprising blends of acrylic and polyester resins are known and are the subject of, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,076,766; 4,322,508; 4,338,379; 4,397,989; 4,751,267; and 4,716,200.

Aliphatic polyesters are frequently used to reduce viscosity and increase solids of thermosetting acrylic (abbreviated herein as “TSA”) coatings and are desirable as a primary film former in high solids coatings due to their ability to reduce VOC emissions. Coatings made from aliphatic polyesters are generally flexible but tend to be soft, resulting in poor resistance to solvents and chemicals, poor humidity resistance and poor outdoor durability.

To increase resin and coating solids, reduce viscosity, and lower VOC emission, aliphatic polyester resins can be blended with TSA resins. Unfortunately, the glass transition temperature (“Tg”) of the blend frequently decreases significantly as the polyester content increases. The lower Tg of the blend has an adverse impact on the desirable characteristics that the TSA resin imparts to the coating.

There is a need in the coatings industry for aliphatic polyester resins that, when blended with TSA resins, lower the viscosity while maintaining the Tg of the TSA resin in high solids thermosetting coating compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have discovered that thermosetting acrylic resins blended with curable, aliphatic polyesters containing the residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol exhibit good compatibility, viscosity reduction, and good Tg retention. Our invention, therefore, provides a thermosetting coating composition, comprising:

-   (A). about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), and (C) of a curable, aliphatic polyester, comprising     -   i. diacid residues, comprising at least 90 mole percent, based         on the total moles of diacid residues, of the residues of at         least one diacid, the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid comprising         from about 50 to 100 mole percent of a cycloaliphatic         dicarboxylic acid;     -   ii. diol residues, comprising about 50 to 100 mole percent,         based on the total moles of diol residues, of the residues of         2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol; and     -   iii. about 2 to about 40 mole percent of the residues of at         least one polyol, based on the total moles of diol and polyol         residues; -    wherein the curable, aliphatic polyester has a number average     molecular weight of from about 300 to about 10,000 daltons, a glass     transition temperature of about −35° C. to about 35° C., a hydroxyl     number of about 20 to about 450 mg KOH/g of polyester, and an acid     number of 0 to about 80 mg KOH/g of polyester; -   (B). about 25 to about 88 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), and (C) of at least one acrylic copolymer of     ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least one hydroxyl,     epoxy, carboxyl, blocked phenol, or acetoacetoxy functional group; -   (C). about 10 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), and (C), of at least one crosslinker comprising at     least one compound reactive with a carboxylic acid or a hydroxyl     group; and -   (D). about 10 to about 60 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), (C), and (D) of at least one non-aqueous solvent.

Coatings formulated from these aliphatic polyester/TSA blends can exhibit high gloss, distinctness of image and reflectivity; good hardness with good flexibility; solvent and chemical resistance; and good gloss retention during UV and humidity exposure for good outdoor durability. These coatings are useful as factory and field-applied coatings for auto OEM, auto refinish, transportation, aerospace, maintenance, marine, machinery and equipment, general metal, appliance, metal furniture, plastic, and building/construction applications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

We have found that curable, aliphatic polyesters that contain 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (abbreviated herein as “TMCD”) can be blended with thermosetting acrylic resins (“TSA”) to produce a blend that has low viscosity, good compatibility, flexibility, and Tg retention. Coating compositions prepared from these blends exhibit high hardness with good flexibility; fast dry times; resistance to stains, chemicals and humidity; and outdoor durability. Thus, in a general embodiment, our invention provides a thermosetting coating composition, comprising:

-   (A). about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), and (C) of a curable, aliphatic polyester, comprising     -   i. diacid residues, comprising at least 90 mole percent, based         on the total moles of diacid residues, of the residues of at         least one diacid, the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid comprising         from about 50 to 100 mole percent of a cycloaliphatic         dicarboxylic acid;     -   ii. diol residues, comprising about 50 to 100 mole percent,         based on the total moles of diol residues, of the residues of         2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol; and     -   iii. about 2 to about 40 mole percent of the residues of at         least one polyol, based on the total moles of diol and polyol         residues; -    wherein the curable, aliphatic polyester has a number average     molecular weight of from about 300 to about 10,000 daltons, a glass     transition temperature of about −35° C. to about 35° C., a hydroxyl     number of about 20 to about 450 mg KOH/g of polyester, and an acid     number of 0 to about 80 mg KOH/g of polyester; -   (B). about 25 to about 88 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), and (C) of at least one acrylic copolymer of     ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least one hydroxyl,     epoxy, carboxyl, blocked phenol, or acetoacetoxy functional group; -   (C). about 10 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), and (C), of at least one crosslinker comprising at     least one compound reactive with a carboxylic acid or a hydroxyl     group; and -   (D). about 10 to about 60 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), (C), and (D) of at least one non-aqueous solvent.     The coating formulation may, optionally, comprise a crosslinker,     various additives and pigments.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Further, the ranges stated in this disclosure and the claims are intended to include the entire range specifically and not just the endpoint(s). For example, a range stated to be 0 to 10 is intended to disclose all whole numbers between 0 and 10 such as, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., all fractional numbers between 0 and 10, for example 1.5, 2.3, 4.57, 6.1113, etc., and the endpoints 0 and 10. Also, a range associated with chemical substituent groups such as, for example, “C₁ to C₅ diols”, is intended to specifically include and disclose C₁ and C₅ diols as well as C₂, C₃, and C₄ diols.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in its respective testing measurements.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include their plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, a reference to a “polyester,” a “dicarboxylic acid”, a “residue” is synonymous with “at least one” or “one or more” polyesters, dicarboxylic acids, or residues and is thus intended to refer to both a single or plurality of polyesters, dicarboxylic acids, or residues. In addition, references to a composition containing or including “an” ingredient or “a” polyester is intended to include other ingredients or other polyesters, respectively, in addition to the one named. The terms “containing” or “including” are intended to be synonymous with the term “comprising”, meaning that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step, etc., is present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, catalysts, materials, particles, method steps, etc, even if the other such compounds, material, particles, method steps, etc., have the same function as what is named, unless expressly excluded in the claims.

Also, it is to be understood that the mention of one or more process steps does not preclude the presence of additional process steps before or after the combined recited steps or intervening process steps between those steps expressly identified. Moreover, the lettering of process steps or ingredients is a convenient means for identifying discrete activities or ingredients and the recited lettering can be arranged in any sequence, unless otherwise indicated.

The term “curable, aliphatic polyester”, as used herein, is synonymous with the term “resin” and is intended to mean a thermosetting surface coating polymer prepared by the polycondensation of one or more acid components, diol components, and polyol components. The curable, aliphatic polyester of the present invention is a thermoset polymer and is suitable as a resin for solvent-based coating. This polyester has a low molecular weight, typically from about 300 to about 10,000 daltons, and would not be suitable for the fabrication films, sheets, and other shaped objects by extrusion, casting, blow molding, and other thermoforming processes commonly used for high molecular weight thermoplastic polymers. The polyester has a reactive functional group, typically a hydroxyl group or carboxyl group for the purpose of later reacting with a crosslinker in a coating formulation. The functional group is controlled by having either excess diol or acid (from dicarboxylic acid or tricarboxylic acid) in the polyester resin composition. The desired crosslinking pathway will determine whether the polyester resin will be hydroxyl-terminated or carboxylic acid-terminated. This concept is known to those skilled in the art and described, for example, in Organic Coatings Science and Technology, 2nd ed., p. 246-257, by Z. Wicks, F. Jones, and S. Pappas, Wiley, New York, 1999.

Typically, the acid component comprises at least one dicarboxylic acid and may, optionally, include mono- and polybasic carboxylic acids. For example, the curable, aliphatic polyester may be prepared from an acid component comprising an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid such as, for example, adipic acid or 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, or a mixture of one or more aliphatic and cycloaliphatic acids. The diol component may comprise one or more cycloaliphatic diols such as, for example, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, either alone or in combination with one or more linear or branched aliphatic diols such as, for example, neopentyl glycol. Catalysts may be used to accelerate the rate of the polycondensation reaction. Additional examples of each of the components of the curable, aliphatic polyester include those known in the art including, but not limited to, those discussed below, and in various documents known in the art such as, for example, in Resins for Surface Coatings, Vol. III, p. 63-167, ed. by P. K. T. Oldring and G. Hayward, SITA Technology, London, UK, 1987.

The term “residue”, as used herein in reference to the polymers of the invention, means any organic structure incorporated into a polymer through a polycondensation or ring opening reaction involving the corresponding monomer. It will also be understood by persons having ordinary skill in the art, that the residues associated within the various curable polyesters of the invention can be derived from the parent monomer compound itself or any derivative of the parent compound. For example, the dicarboxylic acid residues referred to in the polymers of the invention may be derived from a dicarboxylic acid monomer or its associated acid halides, esters, salts, anhydrides, or mixtures thereof. Thus, as used herein, the term “dicarboxylic acid” is intended to include dicarboxylic acids and any derivative of a dicarboxylic acid, including its associated acid halides, esters, half-esters, salts, half-salts, anhydrides, mixed anhydrides, or mixtures thereof, useful in a polycondensation process with a diol to make a curable, aliphatic polyester.

The term “aliphatic” is intended to have its common meaning as would be understood by persons having ordinary skill in the art, that is, acyclic or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated carbon compounds, excluding benzenoid or other aromatic systems. The term “cycloaliphatic”, as used herein, is intended to mean an aliphatic, cyclic compound. The term “aliphatic polyester”, as used herein, is understood to mean a polyester that contains 90 or greater mole percent aliphatic diacid or diol residues, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. Small amounts (i.e., 10 mole percent or less) of aromatic dicarboxylic acids or aromatic diols also may be present.

The thermosetting coating composition of the present invention comprises about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weights of components (A), (B), and (C), of a curable, aliphatic polyester that, in turn, comprises an diacid residues, a diol residues, and a polyol component. The diacid residues comprise at least 90 mole percent, based on the total moles of diacid residues, of the residues of at least one diacid which, in turn, comprises about 50 to 100 mole percent of a cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid. Some examples of aliphatic and cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids include, but are not limited to, adipic acid, dodecanedioic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride succinic acid, glutaric acid, and combinations thereof. For example, the curable, aliphatic polyester can comprise about 50 mole percent of the residues of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and about 50 mole percent of the residues of adipic acid, based on the total moles of diacid residues. In another example, the curable, aliphatic polyester can contain about 50 mole percent of the residues of hexahydrophthalic anhydride and about 50 mole percent of the residues of adipic acid.

Some additional, non-limiting examples of the diacid component of the curable, aliphatic polyester are as follows: (a) about 50 to about 85 mole percent of the residues of at least one diacid chosen from 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, and combinations thereof; and about 15 to about 50 mole percent of the residues of at least one alicyclic aliphatic diacid having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms; (b) about 50 to about 85 mole percent of the residues of at least one diacid chosen from 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, and combinations thereof; and about 15 to about 50 mole percent of the residues of at least one diacid chosen from adipic acid, succinic acid, and glutaric acid; (c) about 50 to about 75 mole percent of the residues of one or diacids chosen from 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, and combinations thereof; and about 25 to about 50 mole percent of the residues of at least one diacid chosen from adipic acid, succinic acid, and glutaric acid; (d) about 50 to about 65 mole percent of the residues of at least one diacid chosen from 1,4-cyclohexane-dicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, and combinations thereof; and about 35 to about 50 mole percent of the residues of at least one diacid chosen from adipic acid, succinic acid, and glutaric acid; (e) about 50 mole percent of the residues of one or diacids chosen from 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, and combinations thereof; and about 50 mole percent of the residues of adipic acid; and (f) about 50 mole percent of the residues of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and about 50 mole percent of the residues of adipic acid. In addition to the residues of alicyclic and cyclic aliphatic dicarboxylic acids described above, the diacid residues may further comprise from 0 to about 10 mole percent of the residues of at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid chosen from phthalic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and combinations thereof.

In addition to the aliphatic diacid residues described above, the curable, aliphatic polyester may further comprise the residues of at least one monocarboxylic acid or a polybasic acid containing more that 2 carboxylic acid groups. For example, the aliphatic polyester may comprise residues of at least one monocarboxylic acid or a polybasic acid chosen from benzoic acid, acetic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, propionic acid, tert-butyl benzoic acid, and butanoic acid; trimellitic anhydride; or a mixture thereof. In another example, the acid component can comprise the residues of at least one aliphatic tricarboxylic acid such as, for example, 1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid, 1,3,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-hexanetricarboxylic acid, and mixtures of one or more of these acids.

The curable, aliphatic polyester also comprises the residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (“TMCD”). For example, the curable, aliphatic polyester can comprise about 50 to 100 mole percent TMCD, based on the total moles of diol residues. Other representative examples of TMCD concentrations, are about 75 to 100 mole percent, and about 85 to 100 mole percent.

Other aliphatic diols, in addition to TMCD, can be used to prepare the curable, aliphatic polyester of the instant invention. Representative examples of aliphatic diols include, but are not limited to, neopentyl glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, hexaethylene glycol, heptaethylene glycol, octaethylene glycol, nonaethylene glycol, decaethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 2,4-dimethyl-2-ethyl-hexane-1,3-diol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,2-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-butyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-isobutyl-1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediol, thiodiethanol, 1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 2,2,4-trimethyl 1,3-pentanediol, 2,4-diethyl-1,5-pentanediol, hydroxypivalyl hydroxypivalate, 1,10-decanediol and hydrogenated bisphenol A. For example, in one embodiment, the curable, aliphatic polyester resins comprise a combination of the residues of neopentyl glycol and TMCD. It should be understood that the diols listed above may be used in any combination with TMCD and the aforementioned diacid components and in any amount within the ranges described hereinabove

For example, in one embodiment, the curable, aliphatic polyester can comprise (i) diacid residues comprising about 50 to about 85 mole percent of the residues of at least one cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid chosen from 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, and about 15 to about 50 mole percent of the residues at least one acylic aliphatic dicarboxylic acid chosen from adipic acid, dodecanedioic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, and glutaric acid; and (ii) diol residues comprising about 50 to 100 mole percent of the residues of TMCD and about 50 to 0 mole percent of the residues of at least one diol chosen from neopentyl glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, hexaethylene glycol, heptaethylene glycol, octaethylene glycol, nonaethylene glycol, decaethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 2,4-dimethyl-2-ethyl-hexane-1,3-diol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,2-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-butyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-isobutyl-1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediol, thiodiethanol, 1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 2,2,4-trimethyl 1,3-pentanediol, p-xylenediol, hydroxypivalyl hydroxypivalate, 1,10-decanediol, and hydrogenated bisphenol A. In another example, the curable aliphatic polyester can comprise (i) diacid residues comprising about 50 to about 85 mole percent of the residues of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, or a mixture thereof, and about 15 to about 50 mole percent of the residues of adipic acid; and (ii) diol residues comprising about 50 to 100 mole percent of the residues of TMCD and about 50 to 0 mole percent of the residues of neopentyl glycol. In yet another example, the curable, aliphatic polyester can comprise (i) diacid resides comprising about 50 mole percent of the residues of hexahydrophthalic anhydride and about 50 mole percent of the residues of adipic acid; and (ii) diol residues comprising about 75 to 100 mole percent of the residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and about 25 to 0 mole percent of the residues of neopentyl glycol.

In addition to diacid and diol residues, the curable, aliphatic polyester comprises about 2 to about 40 mole percent of the residues of at least one polyol, based on the total moles of diol and polyol residues. These polyols may include aliphatic, alicyclic, and cyclic alkyl polyols. Some specific examples of polyols include, but are not limited to, trimethylolpropane (abbreviated herein as “TMP), pentaerythritol (abbreviated herein as “PE”), trimethylolethane (abbreviated herein as “TME”), erythritol, threitol, dipentaerythritol, sorbitol, glycerine, and the like. In one example, the curable, aliphatic polyester can comprise about 3 to about 30 mole percent of the residues of at least one polyol chosen from trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, trimethylolethane, erythritol, threitol, dipentaerythritol, sorbitol, and glycerine. In another embodiment, the curable, aliphatic polyester comprises trimethylolpropane.

The curable, aliphatic polyester of this invention has a hydroxyl number of about 20 to about 450 mg KOH/g resin. Further examples of hydroxyl number are about 25 to about 300, and about 30 to about 250. In addition, the curable, aliphatic polyester has an acid number of from about 0 to about 80 mg KOH/g polyester or, in other examples, from about 2 to about 25 mg KOH/g polyester, and from about 2 to about 15 mg KOH/g polyester. The number average molecular weight of the curable, aliphatic polyester is about 300 daltons to about 10,000 daltons. Additional examples of molecular weight ranges are from about 400 to about 7000, and from about 500 to about 5000. The curable, aliphatic polyester has a glass transition temperature (abbreviated herein as “Tg”) of about −35 to about 35° C. Some additional, representative examples of Tg ranges for the curable, aliphatic polyester are about −35 to about 30° C., about −35 to about 25° C., about −35 to less than 20, about −35 to about 19° C., about −35 to about 18° C., about −35 to about 17° C., about −35 to about 16° C., about −35 to about 15° C. about −35 to about 10° C. For example, the curable, aliphatic polyester can have a hydroxyl number of about 30 to about 250 mg potassium hydroxide per gram of polyester, an acid number of about 2 to about 15 mg potassium hydroxide per gram of polyester, and a number average molecular weight of about 700 to about 7000 daltons, and a Tg of about −20 to about 20° C.

The curable polyester component can be prepared by heating the reactants until the desired molecular weight, acid number, or hydroxyl number is reached. Typically, the reactants are heated at a temperature of about 150 to about 250° C. while recovering water from the mixture to produce a curable polyester having number average molecular weight of from about 300 to 10,000 daltons, a glass transition temperature of about −35° C., to about 35° C., a hydroxyl number of about 20 to about 450 mg potassium hydroxide/g of polyester, or an acid number of 0 to about 80 mg potassium hydroxide/g of polyester.

The reaction can be monitored by the collection of water (direct condensation) or alcohol (ester inter-change). The polyester typically is be prepared at a temperature range of from about 150-250° C. and can be conducted at atmospheric pressure or under vacuum. In another example, the diacid and diol components of the polyester may be partially reacted before the polyol is added. Once the polyol is added to the reaction mixture, heating is continued until a target acid number is satisfied.

Alternatively, the curable polyester can be prepared in the presence of a process solvent to help remove the water of esterification and to promote the synthesis of the polyester resin. The process solvent may be any process solvent known in the art used in the formation of a polyester resin. For example, the process solvent can be a hydrocarbon solvent. In another example, the process solvent can comprise an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as, for example, xylene. The xylene can be a pure isomer, or a mixture of ortho, meta, and para isomers. The amount of process solvent added may be determined by routine experimentation as understood by those skilled in the art. The process solvent can be added in amounts ranging from 0.5 to about 5 weight percent, based on the total weight of reaction mixture.

Optionally, a catalyst may be used to promote the synthesis of the polyester. The catalyst may be any catalyst known in the art for the formation of a polyester resins. For example, the catalyst can be a tin catalyst, such as, for example, Fascat 4100™ (available from Arkema Corporation). The amount of catalyst may be determined by routine experimentation as understood by those skilled in the art. Preferably, a catalyst is added in amounts ranging from about 0.01 to about 1.00 weight percent, based on the amount of reactants.

The thermosetting coating composition also comprises about 25 to about 88 weight percent, based on the total weight of components (A), (B), and (C) of at least one thermosetting, acrylic copolymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least one hydroxyl, epoxy, carboxyl, blocked phenol, or acetoacetoxy functional group. Thermosetting acrylic resins (abbreviated herein as “TSA”) are typically prepared by free radical polymerization in bulk or in a solvent. Representative free-radical initiators include, but are not limited to, organic peroxides or azo compounds, such as benzoyl peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, t-butyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxybenzoate, azobisisobutyronitrile, and 2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethyl)-valeronitrile. The reaction is preferably carried out at the reflux temperature of the solvent used, which is generally higher than the thermal decomposition temperature of the initiator employed. Suitable examples of preparation methods and components of the acrylic resin include those known in the art including, but not limited to, those described above, and in Resins for Surface Coatings, Vol. II, p. 121-210, ed. by P. K. T. Oldring and G. Hayward, SITA Technology, London, UK, 1987.

The acrylic copolymer comprises acrylic monomers copolymerized with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers that contain reactive functional groups as listed above. Some common examples of acrylic monomers include acrylate esters, methacrylate esters, (meth)acrylic acid, and acrylamide monomers. Examples of ethylenically unsaturated monomers include, but are not limited to, mono- and dicarboxylic unsaturated acids, allylic monomers, and vinyl compounds such as, for example, vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons, vinyl aliphatic hydrocarbons, vinyl ethers, and vinyl esters. Mono- and dicarboxylic unsaturated acids include fumaric acid, maleic acid or anhydride, haconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, muconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, hydrosorbic acid, sorbic acid, alpha-chlorsorbic acid, cinnamic acid, and hydromuconic acid as well as esters of such acids. Examples of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons include styrene, methyl styrenes and similar lower alkyl styrenes, chlorostyrene, vinyl toluene, vinyl naphthalene, and divinyl benzoate. Vinyl aliphatic hydrocarbon monomers include alpha olefines such as ethylene, propylene, isobutylene, and cyclohexene as well as conjugated dienes such as 1,3 butadiene, methyl-2-butadiene, 1,3-piperylene, 2,3 dimethyl butadiene, isoprene, cyclopentadiene, and dicyclopentadiene. Some representative examples of vinyl esters include vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrates, vinyl benzoates, vinyl isopropyl acetates and similar vinyl esters. Vinyl alkyl ethers include methyl vinyl ether, isopropyl vinyl ether, n-butyl vinyl ether, and isobutyl vinyl ether.

Acrylic monomers include monomers such as lower alkyl esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid having an alkyl ester portion containing between 1 to 12 carbon atoms as well as aromatic derivatives of acrylic and methacrylic acid. Useful acrylic monomers include, for example, acrylic and methacrylic acid, methyl acrylate and methacrylate, ethyl acrylate and methacrylate, butyl acrylate and methacrylate, propyl acrylate and methacrylate, 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate and methacrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate and methacrylate, decyl acrylate and methacrylate, isodecylacrylate and methacrylate, benzyl acrylate and methacrylate, and various reaction products such as butyl, phenyl an cresyl glycidyl ethers reacted with acrylic and methacrylic acids, hydroxyl alkyl acrylates and methacrylate such as hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl acrylates and methacrylates, as well as amino acrylates and methacrylates. Acrylic acids include acrylic and methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, alpha-chloracrylic acid, alpha-cycanoacrylic acid, crotonic acid, beta-acryloxy propionic acid, and beta-styrl acrylic acid. Examples of acrylamide monomers include, but are not limited to, acrylamides or methacrylamides such as N-methylol acrylamide, N-ethanol acrylamide, N-propanol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide, N-ethanol methacrylamide, and similar alkyl acrylamide or methacrylamide monomers containing methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl or iso-butyl alkyl groups. In one embodiment, for example, the ethylenically unsaturated monomers of the acrylic copolymer (B) are chosen from at least one of acrylate, methacrylate, styrene, (meth)acrylic acid, and vinyl esters.

As noted above, the thermosetting acrylic copolymer comprises at least one hydroxyl, epoxy, carboxyl, blocked phenol, or acetoacetoxy functional group obtained by copolymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers with other acrylate monomers such as methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, isobutyl acrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylhexyl methacrylate. Examples of carboxy containing monomers include acrylic acid and lower alkyl substituted acrylic acids such as for example, methacrylic acids. Examples of hydroxyl containing monomers include ethylenically unaturated monomers such as, for example, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyhexyl acrylate, hydroxyhexyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hydroxybutyl acrylate, hydroxylbutyl methacrylate and the like. The ratio of reagents and molecular weights of the resulting acrylic polymer can be chosen to give polymers with an average functionality (for example, the number of OH groups per molecule) greater than or equal to 2 or, in another example, greater than or equal to 4.

The thermosetting acrylic copolymer may be prepared according to procedures well-known to persons having ordinary skill in the art or can be purchased commercially. For example, commercially available hydroxyl functional TSA resins include the MACRYNAL™ series, available from Cytec Surface Specialties, the ACRYLOID™ series, available from Rohm and Haas Company, and the JONCRYL™ series, available from BASF Corporation. One specific example of a hydroxyl functional TSA resin used is MACRYNAL™ SM 515/70BAC, available from Cytec Surface Specialties.

The curable, aliphatic polyester and the acrylic copolymer (TSA resin), typically, are blended together. The weight percent of polyester in the blend is from about 5 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of the polyester and acrylic copolymer. Other examples of the amount of polyester in the polyester/acrylic blend are about 10 to about 40 weight percent, and about 15 to about 30 weight percent.

Our thermosetting coating composition may further contain about 10 to about 50 weight percent of at least one crosslinker based on the total weight of the curable polyester, the acrylic copolymer, and the crosslinker (components (A), (B), and (C) above). Typically, the crosslinker will be a compound that can react with either the carboxylic acid-terminated or hydroxyl-terminated curable polyester. For example, the crosslinker can comprise at least one compound chosen from epoxides, melamines, hydroxy alkyl amides, isocyanates, and isocyanurates. These crosslinkers and their application to coatings are generally known in the art. For example, epoxide crosslinkers will react with a carboxylic acid-terminated polyester or carboxyl functional acrylic copolymer, whereas melamines, isocyanates, isocyanurates will react with a hydroxyl-terminated polyesters and hydroxyl functional acrylic copolymers.

Epoxide crosslinkers can include, but are not limited to, at least one epoxide compound chosen from epoxy resins comprising bisphenol A, epoxy novolac resins, epoxy resins containing hydrogenated bisphenol A, epoxy resins containing bisphenol F, triglycidylisocyanurate, and combinations of these crosslinkers. Examples include those epoxides under the EPON™ trademark, available from Hexion Specialty Chemicals, and those under the ARALDITE™ trademark, available from Huntsman Advanced Materials.

Melamine or “amino” type crosslinkers also are well-known in the art and can be used in the present invention. Thus, for example, the coating composition of the present invention can comprise at least one melamine compound chosen from hexamethoxymethylmelamine, tetramethoxymethylbenzoguanamine, tetramethoxymethylurea, and mixed butoxy/methoxy substituted melamines. Examples of commercially available melamine crosslinkers include the CYMEL™300 series and CYMEL™ 1100 series melamine crosslinkers, available from Cytec Surface Specialties.

In addition to epoxides and melamines, isocyanates and isocyanurates can be used as crosslinkers in accordance with the invention. Representative isocyanates and isocyanurates include, but are not limited to, at least one compound chosen from toluene diisocyanate, isocyanurates of toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate, isocyanurates of 4,4′-diisocyanate, methylenebis-4,4′-isocyanato-cyclohexane, isophorone diisocyanate, isocyanurates of isophorone diisocyanate, the biuret of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, isocyanurates of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-cyclohexane diisocyanate, p-phenylene diisocyanate, and triphenylmethane 4,4′,4″-triisocyanate, tetramethyl xylene diisocyanate, metaxylene diisocyanate, polyisocyanates, 1,4-butylene diisocyanate, methylene bis (4-cyclohexyl isocyanate), isophorone diisocyanate and isocyanate-terminated adducts of ethylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, and trimethylol propane.

The coating composition can also comprise isocyanate-terminated adducts of diols and polyols, such as ethylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, trimethylol propane, etc., as crosslinkers. These crosslinkers are formed by reacting more than one mole of a diisocyanate, such as those mentioned, with one mole of a diol or polyol to form a higher molecular weight isocyanate prepolymer with a functionality of 2 to 3. Some commercial examples of isocyanate-terminated adducts include isocyanate crosslinkers under the DESMODUR™ and MONDUR™ trademarks available from Bayer Material Science.

In one embodiment of the invention, the crosslinker comprises at least one aliphatic isocyanate, which can provide good outdoor durability and color stability in the cured coating. Examples of aliphatic isocyanates include 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-butylene diisocyanate, methylene bis(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate), isophorone diisocyanate, and combinations thereof. Mixtures of isocyanate crosslinkers can also be employed. In another embodiment, the crosslinker can comprise isocyanurates of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, the biuret of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, or a mixture thereof.

Stoichiometric calculations for the curable polyester and isocyanate reaction are known to those skilled in the art and are described in The Chemistry of Polyurethane Coatings, Technical Publication p. 20, by Bayer Material Science, 2005. Persons having ordinary skill in the art will understand that crosslinking between the polyester resin and isocyanate reaches maximum molecular weight and optimal properties associated with molecular weight at an isocyanate:hydroxyl ratio of about 1:1; that is, when one equivalent of isocyanate (−NCO) reacts with one equivalent of hydroxyl (−OH). Typically, however,a small excess of isocyanate, about 5-10%, is used to allow for the loss of isocyanate by the reaction with adventitious moisture from the atmosphere, solvents, and pigments. Other NCO:OH ratios can be used; for example, it may be desirable to vary the NCO to OH ratio to less than 1:1 to improve flexibility or greater than 1:1 to produce harder, more chemical resistant, and more weather resistant coatings.

For the present invention, the solvent borne thermosetting coating composition has an NCO:OH ratio of from about 0.9:1.0 to about 1.5:1.0. Examples of other NCO:OH ratios are about 0.95:1.0 to about 1.25:1.0 and about 0.95:1.0 to about 1.1:1.0.

The thermosetting coating composition also comprises about 10 to about 60 weight percent of at least one solvent, based on the total weight of the curable polyester, acrylic copolymer, and the solvent (components (A), (B), and (D)). Examples of solvents include, but are not limited to, benzene, xylene, mineral spirits, naptha, toluene, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl n-amyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, t-butyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, trimethylpentanediol mono-isobutyrate, ethylene glycol mono-octyl ether, diacetone alcohol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate (available commercially from Eastman Chemical Co. under the trademark TEXANOL™), or combinations thereof. The coating composition may also comprise reactive solvents such as, for example, diallyl phthalate, SANTOLINK™ XI-100 polyglycidyl allyl ether (available from Cytec Surface Specialties), and others as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,349,026 and 5,371,148. Typically, the coating composition of this invention will comprise about 40 to about 90 weight percent solids (i.e., non-volatiles), based on the total weight of the coating composition. Some additional examples of weight percent solids for the coating compostion of the invention are 50, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, and 85 weight percent.

The coating compositions of the invention, optionally, can further comprise at least one crosslinking catalyst. Representative crosslinking catalysts include carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, tertiary amines, tertiary phosphines, tin compounds, or combinations of these compounds. Some specific examples of crosslinking catalysts are at least one compound chosen from p-toluenesulfonic acid, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, dinonylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, and dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic acid, benzoic acid, triphenylphosphine, dibutyltindilaurate, and dibutyltindiacetate. The selection of a crosslinking catalyst typically depends on the type of crosslinker that is used in the coating composition. In one embodiment of the invention, for example, the crosslinker can comprise an epoxide, and the crosslinking catalyst can comprise at least compound chosen from p-toluenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, tertiary amines, and triphenyl-phosphine. In another example, the crosslinker can comprise a melamine or “amino” crosslinker and the crosslinking catalyst can comprise p-toluenesulfonic acid, unblocked and blocked dodecylbenzene sulfonic (abbreviated herein as “DDBSA”), dinonyl-naphthalene sulfonic acid (abbreviated herein as “DNNSA”) and dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic acid (abbreviated herein as “DNNDSA”). Some of these catalysts are available commercially under the trademarks such as, for example, NACURE™ 155, 5076, 1051, and 5225 (available from King Industries), and BYK-CATALYSTS™ (available from BYK-Chemie USA). The example solvent borne thermosetting polyester-melamine coating formulations contain p-toluenesulfonic acid as the crosslinking catalyst.

In another embodiment, the curable aliphatic polyester can comprise hydroxyl-terminated end groups and the crosslinker can comprise at least one isocyanate. Examples of isocyanate crosslinking catalysts include FASCAT™ 4202 (dibutyltindilaurate), FASCAT™ 4200 (dibutyltindiacetate, both available from Arkema), DABCO™ T-12 (available from Air Products) and K-KAT™ 348, 4205, 5218, XC-6212™ non-tin catalysts (available from King Industries), and tertiary amines.

For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the thermosetting coating composition comprises about 25 to about 35 weight percent solvent, about 20 to about 35 weight percent of a melamine crosslinker, and a crosslinking catalyst comprising p-toluenesulfonic acid. In another example, the thermosetting coating composition comprises about 25 to about 35 weight percent solvent, and about 20 to about 35 weight percent hexamethoxymethylmelamine.

The coating composition of the instant invention may further comprise at least one coating additive known in the art. Examples of coating additives include, but are not limited to, leveling, rheology and flow control agents such as silicones, fluorocarbons or cellulosics; extenders; plasticizers; flatting agents; pigment wetting and dispersing agents; ultraviolet (UV) absorbers; UV light stabilizers; defoaming and antifoaming agents; anti-settling, anti-sag and bodying agents; anti-skinning agents; anti-flooding and anti-floating agents; and corrosion inhibitors. Specific examples of such additives can be found in the Raw Material Index and Buyer's Guide, published by the National Paint & Coatings Association, 1500 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W., Washington., D.C. 20005. Further examples of such additives may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,148.

Examples of flatting agents include, but are not limited to, synthetic silica, available from the Davison Chemical Division of W. R. Grace & Company as SYLOID™; polypropylene, available from Hercules Inc., as HERCOFLAT™; and synthetic silicate, available from J. M. Huber Corporation, as ZEOLEX™. Examples of dispersing agents include, but are not limited to, sodium bis(tridecyl)sulfosuccinate, di(2-ethyl hexyl)sodium sulfosuccinate, sodium dihexylsulfosuccinate, sodium dicyclohexyl sulfosuccinate, diamyl sodium sulfosuccinate, sodium dusobutyl sulfosuccinate, disodium isodecyl sulfosuccinate, disodium ethoxylated alcohol half ester of sulfosuccinic acid, disodium alkyl amido polyethoxy sulfosuccinate, tetra-sodium N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-N-octadecyl sulfosuccinamate, disodium N-octasulfosuccinamate, sulfated ethoxylated nonylphenol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, and the like.

Examples of viscosity, suspension, and flow control agents include, but are not limited to, polyaminoamide phosphate, high molecular weight carboxylic acid salts of polyamine amides, and alkylene amine salts of an unsaturated fatty acid, all available from BYK Chemie USA as ANTI TERRA™. Further examples include, but are not limited to, polysiloxane copolymers, polyacrylate solution, cellulose esters, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyamide wax, polyolefin wax, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, and the like. For example, the thermosetting composition can contain BYK™ 331, available from BYK-Chemie, as a flow and leveling additive.

Several proprietary antifoaming agents are commercially available and include, but are not limited to, BUBREAK™, available from Buckman Laboratories Inc., BYK™, available from BYK Chemie, U.S.A., FOAMASTER™ and NOPCO™, available from Henkel Corp./Coating Chemicals, DREWPLUS™, available from the Drew Industrial Division of Ashland Chemical Company, TROYSOL™ and TROYKYD™, available from Troy Chemical Corporation, and SAG™, available from Union Carbide Corporation.

Examples of UV absorbers, UV light stabilizers, and antioxidants include, but are not limited to, substituted benzophenone, substituted benzotriazoles, hindered amines, hindered benzoates, phenols, and phosphites, some of which are available from Cytec Specialty Chemicals as CYASORB® UV, and from Ciba Specialty Chemicals as TINUVIN®, CHIMASSORB®, IRGANOX® and IRGAFOS®; diethyl-3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-benzyl-phosphonate, 4-dodecyloxy-2-hydroxy benzophenone, and resorcinol monobenzoate. For example, in one embodiment, the thermosetting coating compositon can contain IRGANOX® 1010 antioxidant, available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals.

The paint or coating additives as described above form a relatively minor proportion of the coating composition, generally about 0.05 weight percent to about 5.00 weight percent. For example, a coating composition optionally may contain one or more of the above-described additives and one or more pigments.

The solvent borne thermosetting coating composition, as described above, also may comprise at least one pigment. Typically, the pigment is present in an amount of from about 20 to about 60 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition. Examples of pigments include those generally recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art of surface coatings. For example, the pigment may be a typical organic or inorganic pigment, especially those set forth by the Colour Index, 3rd ed., 2nd Rev., 1982, published by the Society of Dyers and Colourists in association with the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. Other examples of suitable pigments include, but are not limited to, titanium dioxide, barytes, clay, calcium carbonate, CI Pigment White 6 (titanium dioxide), CI Pigment Red 101 (red iron oxide), CI Pigment Yellow 42, CI Pigment Blue 15,15:1,15:2,15:3,15:4 (copper phthalocyanines); CI Pigment Red 49:1 and CI Pigment Red 57:1. Colorants such as, for example, phthalocyanine blue, molybdate orange, or carbon black also may be added to the coating composition. For example, the solvent borne, thermosetting coating formulations can contain titanium dioxide as the pigment.

Typically, the thermosetting coating composition and additives can be formulated into coating that contains about 40 to about 90% non-volatiles. After formulation, the coating composition can be applied to a substrate or article. Thus, a further aspect of the present invention, is a shaped or formed article that has been coated with the coating compositions of the present invention. The substrate can be any common substrate such as paper; polymer films such as polyethylene or polypropylene; wood; metals such as aluminum, steel or galvanized sheeting; glass; urethane elastomers; primed (painted) substrates; and the like. The coating composition can be coated onto a substrate using techniques known in the art, for example, by spraying, draw-down, roll-coating, etc., about 0.5 to about 4 mils of wet coating onto a substrate. The coating can be cured at ambient (room) temperature or heated in a forced air oven to a temperature of about 50° C. to about 175° C., for a time period that typically ranges from about 5 to about 120 minutes and allowed to cool. Further examples of typical application and curing methods can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,737,551 and 4,698,391 and 3,345,313.

A further aspect of the invention is a thermosetting coating composition, consisting essentially of:

-   (A). about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), and (C) of a curable, aliphatic polyester, consisting     essentially of:     -   i. diacid residues, consisting essentially of the residues of at         least one diacid, the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid comprising         from about 50 to 100 mole percent, based on the total moles of         diacid residues, of a cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid chosen         from residues of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid,         hexahydrophthalic anhydride, or a mixture thereof;     -   ii. diol residues, consisting essentially of about 75 to 100         mole percent, based on the total moles of diol residues, of the         residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol;     -   iii. about 2 to about 40 mole percent of the residues of at         least one polyol, based on the total moles of diol and polyol         residues; -    wherein the curable, aliphatic polyester has a number average     molecular weight of from about 300 to about 10,000 daltons, a glass     transition temperature of about −35° C. to about 35° C., a hydroxyl     number of about 20 to about 450 mg KOH/g of polyester, and an acid     number of 0 to about 80 mg KOH/g of polyester. -   (B). about 25 to about 88 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), and (C) of at least one acrylic copolymer of     ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least one hydroxyl,     epoxy, carboxyl, blocked phenol, or acetoacetoxy functional group; -   (C). about 10 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), and (C), of at least one crosslinker chosen from     epoxides, melamines, isocyanates, and isocyanurates; -   (D). about 10 to about 60 weight percent, based on the total weight     of (A), (B), (C), and (D) of at least one non-aqueous solvent; -   (E). a crosslinking catalyst comprising at least one compound chosen     from p-toluenesulfonic acid, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid,     dinonylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, and dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic     acid, benzoic acid, triphenylphosphine, dibutyltindilaurate, and     dibutyltindiacetate; and -   (F). at least one coating additive chosen from leveling agents,     rheology agents, flow control agents, plasticizers, flatting agents,     pigment wetting and dispersing agents, pigments, dyes, ultraviolet     light absorbers, ultraviolet light stabilizers; defoaming agents,     antifoaming agents, anti-settling agents, anti-sag agents, bodying     agents, anti-skinning agents; anti-flooding agents, anti-floating     agents, and corrosion inhibitors.     This thermosetting coating composition is understood to include the     various embodiments of the curable polyester, acrylic copolymer,     crosslinker, solvent, crosslinking catalyst and coating additives     described previously. The phrase “consisting essentially of”, as     used herein, is intended to encompass thermosetting coating     compositions having components (A)-(F) listed above and is     understood to exclude any elements that would substantially alter     the essential properties of the composition to which the phrase     refers. For example, the diacid and diol residues may include other     components that do not alter the solubility of the curable,     aliphatic polyester and its compatibility with TSA resins. For     example, any combination of diol, diacid, and polyol monomers that     would produce a resin having a Tg greater than about 45° C. would be     understood in the art to reduce that solubility of a polyester     polymer would be excluded from this embodiment. Some representative     classes of diacids and diols that would be expected to increase Tg     and reduce solubility include, but are not limited to,     cycloaliphatic diol or diacid components, and polycycloaliphatic     diacids or diols. Some examples of diacid and diol components that     would be excluded from this embodiment are hydrogenated bisphenol A     at 25 mole percent or greater and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride acid     at 25 mole percent or greater. All mole percentages are based upon     the total moles of diacid or diol residues.

By contrast, some examples of compositions that would be included in the above embodiment are those, for example, in which the aliphatic polyester consists essentially of (i) diacid residues consisting essentially of about 50 to about 85 mole percent of the residues of at least one cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid chosen from 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, and about 50 to about 15 mole percent of the residues at least one acylic aliphatic dicarboxylic acid chosen from adipic, dodecanedioic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, and glutaric acid; and (ii) diol residues consisting essentially of about 75 to 100 mole percent of the residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and about 25 to 0 mole percent of the residues of at least one diol chosen from neopentyl glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, hexaethylene glycol, heptaethylene glycol, octaethylene glycol, nonaethylene glycol, decaethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 2,4-dimethyl-2-ethyl-hexane-1,3-diol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,2-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-butyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-isobutyl-1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediol, thiodiethanol, 1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 2,2,4-trimethyl 1,3-pentanediol, p-xylenediol, hydroxypivalyl hydroxypivalate, 1,10-decanediol, and hydrogenated bisphenol A. In another example, the curable aliphatic polyester consists essentially of (i) diacid residues consisting essentially of about 50 to about 85 mole percent of the residues of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, or a mixture thereof, and about 15 to about 50 mole percent of the residues of adipic acid; and (ii) diol residues consisting essentially of about 75 to about 100 mole percent of the residues of TMCD and about 25 to 0 mole percent of the residues of neopentyl glycol. In yet another example, the curable, aliphatic polyester can consist essentially of (i) diacid resides consisting essentially of about 50 mole percent of the residues of hexahydrophthalic anhydride and about 50 mole percent of the residues of adipic acid; and (ii) diol residues consisting essentially of about 75 to about 100 mole percent of the residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and about 25 to 0 mole percent of the residues of neopentyl glycol.

In addition, the curable, aliphatic polyester can have a glass transition temperature (abbreviated herein as “Tg”) of about −35 to about 35° C. Some additional, representative examples of Tg ranges for the curable, aliphatic polyester are about −35 to about 30° C., about −35 to about 25° C., about −35 to less than 20, about −35 to about 19° C., about −35 to about 18° C., about −35 to about 17° C., about −35 to about 16° C., about −35 to about 15° C., about −35 to about 10° C. In another example, the curable, aliphatic polyester has a hydroxyl number of about 30 to about 250 mg potassium hydroxide per gram of polyester, an acid number of about 2 to about 15 mg potassium hydroxide per gram of polyester, and a number average molecular weight of about 700 to about 7000 daltons.

The ethylenically unsaturated monomers of the acrylic copolymer (B) can be chosen from at least one of acrylate, methacrylate, styrene, (meth)acrylic acid, and vinyl esters. The crosslinker (C) can consist essentially of at least one melamine compound chosen from hexamethoxymethylmelamine, tetramethoxymethylbenzoguanamine, tetramethoxymethylurea, and mixed butoxy/methoxy substituted melamines. In another example, the crosslinker (C) can consist essentially of at least one isocyanate chosen from isocyanurates of 4,4′-diisocyanate, methylenebis-4,4′-isocyanatocyclohexane, isophorone diisocyanate, isocyanurates of isophorone diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, isocyanurates of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-cyclohexane diisocyanate, polyisocyanates, 1,4-butylene diisocyanate, methylene bis (4-cyclohexyl isocyanate), isophorone diisocyanate and isocyanate-terminated adducts of ethylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, trimethylol propane.

The coating composition also consists essentially of a nonaqueous solvent (D) consisting essentially of at least one organic liquid chosen from benzene, xylene, mineral spirits, naptha, toluene, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl n-amyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, t-butyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, trimethylpentanediol mono-isobutyrate, ethylene glycol mono-octyl ether, diacetone alcohol, and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate. The invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLES

Preparation of Curable, Aliphatic Polyesters—Comparative Example P1, Example P2 Example P3 and Example P4—The example and comparative aliphatic polyester resins (Table 1) were prepared according to the following procedure, targeting a number average molecular weight=1250, a hydroxyl equivalent weight=500, a hydroxyl functionality=2.5 and final acid number=8.

The resins were prepared using a solvent process to help remove the water of esterification. The resins were prepared in a two-liter reaction kettle equipped with a heating mantle, mechanical stirrer, thermocouple, nitrogen blanket (0.6 scfh), oil-heated partial condenser (103° C.-105° C.), condensate trap, and water-cooled total condenser (15° C.). The condensate trap, kettle top and adapter from the kettle to the column were insulated by aluminum foil and fiberglass tape to facilitate water removal. Stage 1 raw materials were charged to the reactor. Additional xylene (approximately 30 g) was used to fill the condensate trap. The temperature was then increased from room temperature to 150° C. over ninety minutes to form a homogenous melt. Agitation (300 rpm) was started and the temperature increased to a maximum of 230° C. over 240 minutes. The Stage 2 TMP was added when half the theoretical condensate was collected. The reaction mixture was held at 230° C. until a final acid number of 6±2 mg KOH/g resin was obtained. The resins were then poured into a metal paint can.

The acid number (abbreviated “AN”), hydroxyl number (abbreviated “OH#”), number average molecular weight (abbreviated “Mn”) and glass transition temperature (abbreviated “Tg”) of the polyesters are shown in Table 1. Acid number was determined using ASTM method D 1639. Hydroxyl number was determined by esterifying the resin by reaction with excess acetic anhydride in pyridine and then decomposing the unreacted anhydride with water. The resulting acetic acid is then titrated with a standard solution of KOH. The number of milligrams KOH which are equivalent to one gram of resin sample is reported as the hydroxyl number. Number average molecular weight was determined by gel permeation chromatography (Agilent 1100 Series GPC-SEC system) with a refractive index detector and polystyrene standards.

Residual xylene remaining in the resin from solvent processing could artificially lower the Tg measurement. To obtain a more accurate Tg, a resin sample was first subjected to preconditioning in a TGA (thermal gravimetric analysis) instrument. It was placed into a stainless steel DSC pan and heated under nitrogen atmosphere from room temperature to 150° C. at a rate of 5° C./min. The sample was then transferred to a differential scanning calorimeter with modulating capability (TA Instruments Q2000 MDSC with Universal software V4.3A). On the first heating cycle, the sample was heated under nitrogen atmosphere from −120° C. to 125° C. at a rate of 5° C./min. modulating at ±0.796° C./min. Next, it was cooled to −120° C. at 5° C./min. modulating at ±0.796° C./min. For the second heating cycle, the sample was heated under the same conditions as those used in the first heating cycle. The midpoint of the second heating cycle is reported as the Tg of the sample.

Each resin was reduced to 70 wt. % solids in n-butyl acetate (n-BuOAc). The solutions were then evaluated for color, clarity and solution viscosity. Platinum-Cobalt color was measured with a Gardco LICO 100 colorimeter in accordance with ASTM method D 1209. Color values ranging from 0 to 100 are colorless to very slight yellow color, respectively.

Clarity of the solutions was measured with a BYK-Gardner haze-gard plus instrument according to ASTM method D 1003, Method A, and is reported as percent haze.

Solution viscosity was determined using a Brookfield Model LV DV II+ Pro viscometer. Viscosity was measured in a 4 oz. jar at 100 rpm using spindle #63. Viscosity readings below 1000 centipoise are considered to be low. As shown in Table 1, polyesters P2, P3 and P4 have low color, good clarity and low viscosity. All are suitable for blending with a TSA resin and formulating into a high solids, solvent borne thermosetting coating.

TABLE 1 Polyester Resin Charge Weights (Grams) and Determined Resin Properties Polyester Formulation Comparative Example P1 Example P2 Example P3 Example P4 Mole % TMCD in Polyester 0 75 100 100 Stage 1 NPG^((a), (b)) 435.38 95.84 — — TMCD^((a), (c)) — 398.10 510.45 510.47 TMP^((d)) 35.91 36.53 36.71 36.71 AD^((e)) 293.41 258.28 248.36 248.37 CHDA^((g)) 345.69 304.31 292.62 — HHPA^((h)) — — — 262.02 Fascat 4100 catalyst^((f)) 1.14 1.12 1.12 1.09 Xylene process solvent 22.84 22.48 22.40 21.78 Stage 2 TMP 35.91 36.53 36.71 36.71 Total Charge 1170.28 1153.19 1148.37 1117.15 Minus Theo. Condensate 142.00 124.70 119.81 89.22 Yield 1028.28 1028.49 1028.56 1027.93 Determined Resin Properties AN (mg KOH/g resin) 5 8 5 4 OH# (mg KOH/g resin) 103 103 94 92 M_(n) (daltons) 1959 1937 2106 2182 T_(g) (° C.) −27.7 −6.7 1.3 7.8 Resin Properties at 70 wt. % in n- BuOAc Platinum-Cobalt Color 0 1 11 55 Clarity (% Haze) 0.83 0.53 0.98 1.55 Viscosity, cP 339 380 894 760 ^((a))Includes a glycol excess of 1 wt. % based on calculated charge weights. ^((b))2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-propanediol (Eastman). ^((c))2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (Eastman) ^((d))Trimethylolpropane (Perstorp) ^((e))Adipic acid (DuPont) ^((f))Butylstannoic acid (Arkema) ^((g))1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid ^((h))Hexahydrophthalic anhydride

Preparation of TSA/Aliphatic Polyester Blends—Examples B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B9, B11, B12, and B13 illustrate blends of a TSA with the aliphatic polyesters of the invention, while examples B1, B2, B6, and B10 are comparative examples. The properties of the TSA/aliphatic polyester blends are listed in Table 2.

The aliphatic polyester resins were evaluated for compatibility with a commercially available TSA resin, MACRYNAL™ SM 515/70BAC (available from Cytec Surface Specialties). MACRYNAL™ SM 515 is a hydroxy functional acrylic that is crosslinkable with aliphatic polyisocyanates. This TSA resin is suggested for use by the manufacturer in air-drying and forced drying two pack high solids thermosetting coatings.

The TSA/polyester resin blends were evaluated at 70 weight percent solids in n-butyl acetate at TSA:polyester weight ratios of 85:15, 75:25 and 65:35. MACRYNAL™ SM 515 was supplied as a 70 weight percent solution in n-butyl acetate, and all of the polyester resins were reduced to 70 weight percent solids in n-butyl acetate. The appropriate amount of acrylic and polyester resin solutions were combined in a 4 oz. jar as indicated in Table 2. The solutions were then rolled at room temperature for 24 hours to thoroughly mix the components.

The viscosity of the TSA/polyester blends was determined using a Brookfield Model LV DV II+ Pro viscometer. Viscosity was measured in the 4 oz. jar at 20 rpm using spindle #63 and is reported in centipoise. A portion of each TSA/polyester blend was cast as a 10 mil wet film onto glass and force-dried for 7 hrs. at 80° C. (176° F.) then dried at room temperature drying for 4 days before evaluation.

The Tg of the blends was determined on samples of the dried cast films using a differential scanning calorimeter with modulating capability (TA Instruments Q2000 MDSC with Universal software V4.3A). On the first heating cycle, the sample was heated under helium atmosphere from −120° C. to 125° C. at a rate of 5° C./min. and modulating at ±0.531° C./40 sec. The sample then was quench-cooled with liquid nitrogen to −120° C. For the second heating cycle, the sample was heated under the same conditions as those used in the first heating cycle. The midpoint of the second heating cycle is reported as the Tg of the sample.

The compatibility of the aliphatic polyester with the TSA resin was determined by measuring the percent haze of the dried films according to ASTM method D 1003, Method A, using a BYK-Gardner HAZE-GARD PLUS™ instrument.

Table 2 shows that the viscosity of the TSA resin was lowered when blended with any of the polyesters. Viscosity decreases as the polyester content increases.

In addition, comparative examples B2, B6 and B10 show the greatest reduction in Tg from the TSA alone, especially as the polyester content increases. Example blends B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B9, B11, B12 and B13 have less impact on Tg. The combination of TMCD/HHPA in polyester P4 exhibits the greatest Tg retention. At 35 weight percent polyester content, Example blend B13 made from polyester P4 experienced only a 7° C. drop from the original Tg of the TSA versus a 35° C. drop for Comparative blend B10 containing polyester P1.

The compatibility of Example polyesters P2, P3 and P4 with the TSA, as indicated by percent haze were similar to blends made from Comparative polyester P1 and the TSA alone.

TABLE 2 Properties of TSA/Aliphatic Polyester Blends TSA/Polyester 100/0 85/15 75/25 65/35 Example Blend B1^((a)) B2^((a)) B3 B4 B5 B6^((a)) B7 B8 B9 B10^((a)) B11 B12 B13 Mole % TMCD in Polyester — 0 75 100 100 0 75 100 100 0 75 100 100 Grams^((b)) Cytec 100 85 85 85 85 75 75 75 75 65 65 65 65 Macrynal SM 515 TSA Resin Comparative 0 15 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 35 0 0 0 P1 Example P2 0 0 15 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 35 0 0 Example P3 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 35 0 Example P4 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 35 Properties Viscosity at 2897 1566 1704 2040 1962 1254 1404 1908 1872 1044 1116 1644 1624 70 Wt. % Solids, cP T_(g), ° C. 37 25 32 33 34 13 25 31 32 2 22 27 30 Haze, % 0.11 0.22 0.14 0.13 0.11 0.38 0.40 0.11 0.18 0.12 0.22 0.26 0.17 ^((a))Comparative example. ^((b))All resins are 70 wt. % solids in n-BuOAc.

Preparation of Polyurethane Coatings—White-pigmented polyurethane coatings were prepared from aliphatic polyester resins P1, P3, and P4 and are shown in Table 3. The resins were crosslinked with the triisocyanurate of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate at a 1.1:1 NCO:OH ratio.

The Part A aliphatic polyester and pigment were added to a 500-mL stainless steel beaker. A cowles disperser was used to grind the resin and pigment to a 7+ Hegman for about 5 min. at 5000 rpm. The flow aid then was added and thoroughly mixed for a few minutes. Finally, the catalyst and solvent blend were added and thoroughly mixed. The total Part A mixture was transferred into a glass jar and rolled until needed. The Part B crosslinker was added to Part A and thoroughly mixed with a wooden tongue depressor then filtered through a Hayward PE 100 PN164 300M felt paint filter inside a medium mesh paper filter.

Coating viscosity was determined with a Gardco mini Ford dip cup #4. The initial viscosity measurement was made after combining and thoroughly mixing Part B with Part A. Viscosity was then measured every two hours thereafter and is shown in Table 3.

A wire wound rod was used to apply the coating to glass microscope slides and polished cold rolled steel test panels with Bonderite 1000 pretreatment. The rod was selected to achieve a 1.5±0.2 mil dry film thickness.

The coatings were force-dried 30 minutes at 250° F. (121.1° C.). With the exception of Konig pendulum hardness, all of the coating mechanical properties were determined after 21 days ambient aging. Specular gloss, distinctness of image, reflectance, color, hardness, flexibility, solvent resistance, chemical resistance and accelerated weathering (UVA and constant humidity) resistance of the coatings were determined and reported in Tables 4-9.

Dry film thickness (abbreviated “DFT”) was measured with a Fischerscope MMS Multi Measuring System permascope (Fischer Technology) using the probe for ferrous substrates. Specular gloss was measured with a BYK-Gardner micro-TRI-gloss meter in accordance with ASTM method D 523. Distinctness of image (abbreviated “DOI”) was measured with a BYK-Gardner wave-scan DOI instrument according to ASTM method E 430.

Color (CIE L* a* b*) and reflectance (CIE Y) values were measured with a HunterLab UltraScan PRO spectrophotometer in accordance with ASTM method E 313. Values were calculated using D65 illuminant and 10-degree observer. MEK double rub solvent resistance was performed with a 32 oz. ball peen hammer wrapped in 16 layers of cotton cheesecloth in accordance with ASTM method D1308. The number passed is reported as the last rub until any breakthrough of the coating to metal was observed. The test was run to a maximum of 300 double rubs with observations made on the left, middle and right side of the rubbed path.

Hardness was determined by three methods: a BYK-Gardner pendulum hardness tester using ASTM method D 4366; by pencil test using ASTM method D 3363; and with an Instron Wilson-Wolpert Tukon 2100B indentation hardness tester using ASTM method E 384. For pendulum hardness, the Konig method (abbreviated “KPH”) is reported. KPH was followed over the course of 21 days. The first measurement, Day 1, was taken 24 hours after cure at 250° F. For pencil hardness, the value reported is the last pencil that did not cut through the coating to metal. Tukon hardness was measured on coatings applied to glass microscope slides. The instrument was set to run with a 10 g weight and 13 second indent time using 20× magnification. Tukon hardness is reported using the Knoop scale (abbreviated “HK”).

Flexibility was measured as impact resistance with a Gardco Model 172 universal impact tester in accordance with ASTM method D 2794. The values reported are the last impact to not produce any crack in the coating film or delamination of the coating from the substrate.

Resistance to a 50% solution of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) was performed under ambient conditions for 36 days and measured according to ASTM method D 1308. A drop of the acid solution was placed onto the coating, covered with a watch glass and sealed with paraffin wax. Test areas were rinsed with water before inspecting for blister formation.

To gage outdoor durability, the coatings were subjected to QUVA (340 nm) accelerated weathering using a QUV/SE instrument (Q-Lab). The test condition for ‘general metal’ coatings per ASTM method D 4587 was selected that includes 4 hours UV exposure at 60° C. followed by 4 hours condensation at 50° C. Test panel edges and back were taped to protect against rust formation. Measurements were taken 2 hours into the UV light cycle to ensure a dry surface and consistency of measurement. Test panels were rotated after each observation interval. The coatings were tested for gloss retention (20° and 60° per ASTM method D 523) and color change (Hunter ΔE* and Yellowness Index, ASTM method E 308 and ASTM method D 1925). The results are shown in Tables 5 and 6.

The outdoor durability of a coating also was determined by testing its water resistance using controlled condensation as described in ASTM method D 4585. The coatings were placed in a Cleveland condensing type humidity cabinet (Q-Lab Model QCT/ADO) for continuous 60° C. misting with deionized water. The edges and back of the test panels were taped to protect against rust formation. They were rotated after each observation interval. The coatings were evaluated for gloss retention (20° and 60° per ASTM D 523) and degree of blistering (using ASTM method D 714). The results are shown in Tables 7, 8 and 9.

Table 3 shows that example coatings C2 and C3 show similar pot lives as comparative example C1 (based on NPG glycol as the diol). Coating mechanical properties are presented in Table 4.

Examples C2 and C3 exhibit higher gloss, DOI, and reflectance than comparative example C1. Color is relatively similar for all of the coatings. Examples C2 and C3 also have a more uniform and brilliant appearance as indicated by the higher gloss, DOI and reflectance values.

MEK double rub solvent resistance was higher across the coating surface for examples C2 and C3 than comparative example C1. In particular, the combination of TMCD/CHDA in example C2 showed no breakthrough of the coating to the substrate.

Hardness, as measured by pencil, Tukon and Konig pendulum tests, is greater for examples C2 and C3. In addition, examples C2 and C3 display similar flexibility to comparative example C1. Examples C2 and C3 were unaffected after 36 days exposure to H₂SO₄ solution, whereas comparative example C1 blistered.

After 3500 hours QUVA (340 nm) accelerated weathering exposure, examples C2 and C3 had greater gloss retention than comparative example C1 (see Table 5). Gloss retention of examples C2 and C3 was about 4.5 times longer. Examples C2 and C3 also exhibited a Hunter ΔE* shift and Yellow Index shift of only one unit over the entire test period (see Table 6).

Examples C2 and C3 had greater gloss retention with little or no blister development than comparative example C1 when subjected to Cleveland humidity testing (see Tables 7, 8 and 9). In particular, example C3 retained 73% of its original 20° gloss after 10,000 hours exposure with no blister formation.

TABLE 3 Comparative and Example Polyurethane Coating Formulation Weights (Grams) and Pot Life Coating Formulation Comparative Example C1 Example C2 Example C3 Polyester Formulation from Example 1 P1 P3 P4 Mole % TMCD in Polyester 0 100 100 Part A - Grind Polyester resin 76.23 76.23 76.45 (70 wt. % in n-BuOAc) Ti-Pure R960 TiO₂ pigment^((a)) 51.89 51.89 51.89 Part A - Let Down BYK-300^((b)) (10 wt. 2.59 2.59 2.59 % in n-BuOAc) Fascat 4202^((c)) catalyst 0.82 0.82 0.82 (1 wt. % in n-BuOAc) Solvent blend (45/45/10 40.99 40.99 40.94 Xylene/MAK/EEP) Total Part A 172.52 172.52 172.70 Part B Desmodur N 3390 BA/SN^((d)) 27.48 27.48 27.30 (90 wt. % in 1/1 n-BuOAc/ solvent naptha 100) Total Parts A + B 200.00 200.00 200.00 Pot Life (Coating Viscosity, sec.) 0 Hours 9.2 11.6 9.9 1 Hour 10.0 12.1 10.2 2 Hours 11.1 12.0 10.3 3 Hours — 12.4 — 4 Hours 13.1 12.9 11.6 5 Hours 14.7 — — 6 Hours 17.8 — 19.4 ^((a))DuPont Titanium Technologies. ^((b))BYK-Chemie. ^((c))Arkema (dibutyltyindilaurate). ^((d))Bayer MaterialScience (aliphatic polyisocyanate HDI trimer).

TABLE 4 Comparative and Example Polyurethane Coating Properties Coating Formulation Comparative Example C1 Example C2 Example C3 Polyester Formulation from Example 1 P1 P3 P4 Mole % TMCD in Polyester 0 100 100 Gloss −20°  72  79  81 −60°  87  88  90 DOI  90  93  93 Reflectance (Y-value)  88  92  91 Color L*  95.33  96.69  96.23 a*  −1.24  −1.08  −1.11 b*  −0.02  −0.31  −0.41 MEK Dbl Rubs (# passed) Left 285 300+ 273 Middle 300+ 300+ 300+ Right 133 300+ 289 Pencil Hardness 1H 3H 3H Tukon Hardness (HK) <1  13.9  15.7 König Pendulum Hardness (sec.) Day 1  16 146 157 Day 2  17 157 167 Day 7  17 158 169 Day 14  17 162 171 Day 21  17 161 170 Impact Resistance (in.-lb.) Forward 150 150 174 Reverse 126  84  78 50% H₂SO₄ Resistance Appearance after 36 days Moderate No effect. No effect. blistering.

TABLE 5 QUVA Accelerated Weathering Gloss Retention of Comparative and Example Polyurethane Coatings Coating Formulation Comparative Example C1 Example C2 Example C3 Polyester Formulation from Example 1 P1 P3 P4 Mole % TMCD Hours in Polyester Exposure 0 100 100 20° Gloss   0 70.5 80.4 81.9  250 70.3 78.0 82.8  500 67.9 79.1 82.8  750 14.1 77.8 82.5 1000 — 71.8 79.5 1250 — 64.5 81.6 1500 — 54.4 68.4 1750 — 43.1 65.1 2000 — 37.8 64.1 2244 — 29.9 48.7 2478 — 24.6 37.0 2728 — 18.3 23.3 2978 — 17.4 24.4 3228 — 20.0 22.7 3478 — 13.6 11.3 60° Gloss   0 85.9 87.4 90.5  250 86.0 85.5 90.4  500 85.1 86.6 90.2  750 48.9 87.4 90.7 1000 — 86.6 89.1 1250 — 85.0 89.7 1500 — 81.9 84.2 1750 — 77.2 84.1 2000 — 75.5 84.2 2244 — 71.9 78.6 2478 — 67.0 71.4 2728 — 61.0 66.1 2978 — 61.4 64.1 3228 — 63.8 58.3 3478 — 56.6 51.1

TABLE 6 QUVA Accelerated Weathering Color Change of Comparative and Example Polyurethane Coatings Coating Formulation Comparative Example C1 Example C2 Example C3 Polyester Formulation from Example 1 P1 P3 P4 Mole % TMCD Hours in Polyester Exposure 0 100 100 ΔE   0 0.0 0.0 0.0  250 0.5 0.2 0.3  500 0.5 0.4 0.2  750 0.4 0.3 0.2 1000 — 0.6 0.4 1250 — 0.4 0.3 1500 — 0.8 0.9 1750 — 0.8 0.6 2000 — 0.6 0.5 2244 — 0.7 0.7 2478 — 0.8 0.8 2728 — 0.8 0.9 2978 — 1.0 1.0 3228 — 0.9 0.8 3478 — 1.0 0.9 Yellow Index   0 −1.9 −1.8 −1.9  250 −1.5 −1.7 −1.6  500 −1.4 −1.7 −1.7  750 −1.5 −1.7 −1.7 1000 — −1.6 −1.6 1250 — −1.5 −1.5 1500 — −1.4 −1.3 1750 — −1.5 −1.6 2000 — −1.4 −1.5 2244 — −1.2 −1.2 2478 — −1.3 −1.2 2728 — −1.3 −1.2 2978 — −1.1 −1.1 3228 — −1.2 −0.9 3478 — −1.0 −1.0

TABLE 7 Cleveland Humidity Accelerated Weathering 20° Gloss Retention of Comparative and Example Polyurethane Coatings Coating Formulation Comparative Example C1 Example C2 Example C3 Polyester Formulation from Example 1 P1 P3 P4 Mole % TMCD Hours in Polyester Exposure 0 100 100 20° Gloss   0 65.5 80.3 81.3  24 65.9 80.3 82.1  48 62.9 80 82  148 61.8 79.7 81.9  288 57.6 80.6 82.2  456 45.4 80.1 81.6  600 46.3 80.4 81.9  768 39.4 79.5 81.8  936 34.5 76.8 80.3 1104 28.2 77.9 80.6 1272 14.4 77.2 80.2 1532 13 77.1 79.6 1700 — 76.3 79.7 1868 — 77.2 80.3 2036 — 77.1 80.9 2252 — 74.9 79.7 2500 — 74.5 79.1 2740 — 75.3 79.1 3004 — 73.7 80.1 3100 — 75.4 79.8 3316 — 72.8 79.6 3580 — 71.2 79.8 3820 — 64.7 79.7 4080 — 66.9 78.7 4330 — 59.7 78.8 4640 — 54.1 78.4 4928 — 50.1 78.4 5168 — 42.6 74.8 5418 — 41.4 76.1 5638 — 37 75.6 5854 — 29.2 76.3 6142 — 28.5 73.1 6430 — 14.1 70.6 6622 — — 71.6 6910 — — 72.7 7390 — — 69.4 7678 — — 69.7 8086 — — 64.1 9326 — — 60.6 9734 — — 52.4 10046  — — 59.1

TABLE 8 Cleveland Humidity Accelerated Weathering 60° Gloss Retention of Comparative and Example Polyurethane Coatings Coating Formulation Comparative Example C1 Example C2 Example C3 Polyester Formulation from Example 1 P1 P3 P4 Mole % TMCD Hours in Polyester Exposure 0 100 100 60° Gloss   0 85.2 87.4 89.8  24 85.3 87.3 89.8  48 84.1 87.4 89.6  148 83.8 87.6 89.7  288 81.7 87.5 89.7  456 69.3 87.3 89.6  600 68.5 87.3 90.0  768 62.8 87.5 90.2  936 56.7 85.5 89.0 1104 53.7 85.2 88.0 1272 33.1 85.7 88.5 1532 28.0 84.9 88.5 1700 — 84.8 87.9 1868 — 85.4 89.5 2036 — 86.2 89.1 2252 — 84.6 88.3 2500 — 84.9 88.6 2740 — 85.1 88.1 3004 — 85.5 89.0 3100 — 85.5 88.6 3316 — 84.6 88.4 3580 — 84.6 90.3 3820 — 81.0 88.9 4080 — 82.4 89.0 4330 — 79.3 87.9 4640 — 77.3 88.4 4928 — 74.7 88.0 5168 — 70.3 87.5 5418 — 70.9 85.9 5638 — 66.4 86.5 5854 — 60.7 86.7 6142 — 61.5 84.6 6430 — 48.9 84.8 6622 — — 84.9 6910 — — 84.8 7390 — — 82.5 7678 — — 82.9 8086 — — 80.2 9326 — — 77.8 9734 — — 77.9 10046  — — 78.4

TABLE 9 Cleveland Humidity Accelerated Weathering Blister Rating of Comparative and Example Polyurethane Coatings Coating Formulation Comparative Example C1 Example C2 Example C3 Polyester Formulation from Example 1 P1 P3 P4 Mole % TMCD Hours in Polyester Exposure 0 100 100 Blister Rating (Size/Density)   0 None/None None/None None/None  24 None/None None/None None/None  48 None/None None/None None/None  148 None/None None/None None/None  288 8/Medium None/None None/None  456 6/Medium None/None None/None  600 4/Medium None/None None/None  768 4/Dense None/None None/None  936 4/Dense None/None None/None 1104 4/Dense None/None None/None 1272 2/Dense None/None None/None 1532 2/Dense None/None None/None 1700 — None/None None/None 1868 — None/None None/None 2036 — None/None None/None 2252 — None/None None/None 2500 — None/None None/None 2740 — None/None None/None 3004 — None/None None/None 3100 — None/None None/None 3316 — None/None None/None 3580 — None/None None/None 3820 — None/None None/None 4080 — None/None None/None 4330 — None/None None/None 4640 — None/None None/None 4928 — None/None None/None 5168 — 6/Few None/None 5418 — 6/Few None/None 5638 — 6/Few None/None 5854 — 6/Few None/None 6142 — 6/Few None/None 6430 — 6/Few None/None 6622 — — None/None 6910 — — None/None 7390 — — None/None 7678 — — None/None 8086 — — None/None 9326 — — None/None 9734 — — None/None 10046  — — None/None 

1. A thermosetting coating composition, comprising: (A). about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C) of a curable, aliphatic polyester, comprising i. diacid residues, comprising at least 90 mole percent, based on the total moles of diacid residues, of the residues of at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, said aliphatic dicarboxylic acid comprising from about 50 to 100 mole percent of a cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid; ii. diol residues, comprising about 50 to 100 mole percent, based on the total moles of diol residues, of the residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol; and iii. about 2 to about 40 mole percent of the residues of at least one polyol, based on the total moles of diol and polyol residues; wherein said curable, aliphatic polyester has a number average molecular weight of from about 300 to about 10,000 daltons, a glass transition temperature of about −35 ° C. to about 35° C., a hydroxyl number of about 20 to about 450 mg KOH/ g of polyester, and an acid number of 0 to about 80 mg KOH/ g of polyester; (B). about 25 to about 88 weight percent, based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C) of at least one acrylic copolymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least one hydroxyl, epoxy, carboxyl, blocked phenol, or acetoacetoxy functional group; (C). about 10 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C), of at least one crosslinker comprising at least one compound reactive with a carboxylic acid or a hydroxyl group; and (D). about 10 to about 60 weight percent, based on the total weight of (A), (B), (C), and (D) of at least one non-aqueous solvent.
 2. The coating composition according to claim 1 wherein said diacid residues (A)(i) comprise about 50 to about about 85 mole percent of the residues of at least one cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid chosen from 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, and about 50 to 15 mole percent of the residues at least one acylic aliphatic dicarboxylic acid chosen from dodecanedioic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, succinic anhydride, and glutaric acid; and said diol residues (A)(ii) comprise about 50 to 0 mole percent of the residues of at least one diol chosen from neopentyl glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, hexaethylene glycol, heptaethylene glycol, octaethylene glycol, nonaethylene glycol, decaethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 2,4-dimethyl-2-ethyl-hexane-1,3-diol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,2-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-butyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-isobutyl-1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediol, thiodiethanol, 1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 2,2,4-trimethyl 1,3-pentanediol, p-xylenediol, hydroxypivalyl hydroxypivalate, 1,10-decanediol, and hydrogenated bisphenol A.
 3. The coating composition according to claim 2 wherein said diacid residues (A)(i) comprise about 50 to about 85 mole percent of the residues of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, or a mixture thereof, and about 15 to about 50 mole percent of the residues of adipic acid; and said diol residues (A)(ii) comprise about 50 to 0 mole percent of the residues of neopentyl glycol.
 4. The coating composition according to claim 1 wherein said diacid residues comprise about 50 mole percent of the residues of hexahydrophthalic anhydride and about 50 mole percent of the residues of adipic acid; and said diol residues comprise, about 75 to about 100 mole percent of the residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and about 25 to 0 mole percent of the residues of neopentyl glycol.
 5. The coating composition according to claim 1 wherein said curable, aliphatic polyester comprises about 3 to about 30 mole percent of the residues of at least one polyol chosen from trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, trimethylolethane, erythritol, threitol, dipentaerythritol, sorbitol, and glycerine.
 6. The coating composition according to claim 1 wherein said curable, aliphatic polyester has a hydroxyl number of about 30 to about 250 mg potassium hydroxide per gram of polyester, an acid number of about 2 to about 15 mg potassium hydroxide per gram of polyester, and a number average molecular weight of about 700 to about 7000 daltons, and a Tg of about −20 to about 20° C.
 7. The composition of claim 1, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated monomers of the acrylic copolymer (B) are chosen from at least one of acrylate, methacrylate, styrene, (meth)acrylic acid, and vinyl esters.
 8. The coating composition according to claim 1 wherein said crosslinker (C) comprises at least one compound chosen from melamines, isocyanates, and isocyanurates.
 9. The coating composition according to claim 8 wherein said crosslinker (C) comprises at least one melamine compound chosen from hexamethoxy-methylmelamine, tetramethoxymethylbenzoguanamine, tetramethoxy-methylurea, and mixed butoxy/methoxy substituted melamines.
 10. The coating composition according to claim 8 wherein said crosslinker (C) comprises at least one compound chosen from toluene diisocyanate, isocyanurates of toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate, isocyanurates of 4,4′-diisocyanate, methylenebis-4,4′-isocyanatocyclohexane, isophorone diisocyanate, isocyanurates of isophorone diisocyanate, the biuret of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, isocyanurates of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-cyclohexane diisocyanate, p-phenylene diisocyanate, and triphenylmethane 4,4′,4″-triisocyanate, tetramethyl xylene diisocyanate, metaxylene diisocyanate, polyisocyanates, 1,4-butylene diisocyanate, methylene bis (4-cyclohexyl isocyanate), isophorone diisocyanate and isocyanate-terminated adducts of ethylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, and trimethylol propane.
 11. The coating composition according to claim 1 wherein said non-aqueous solvent (D) comprises benzene, xylene, mineral spirits, naptha, toluene, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl n-amyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, t-butyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, trimethylpentanediol mono-isobutyrate, ethylene glycol mono-octyl ether, diacetone alcohol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate, or combinations thereof.
 12. The coating composition according to claim 1 further comprising at least one coating additive chosen from leveling agents, rheology agents, flow control agents, plasticizers, flatting agents, pigment wetting and dispersing agents, crosslinking catalysts, pigments, dyes, ultraviolet light absorbers, ultraviolet light stabilizers; defoaming agents, antifoaming agents, anti-settling agents, anti-sag agents, bodying agents, anti-skinning agents; anti-flooding agents, anti-floating agents, and corrosion inhibitors.
 13. A shaped object coated with the coating composition of claim
 1. 14. A thermosetting coating composition, consisting essentially of: (A). about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C) of a curable, aliphatic polyester, consisting essentially of: i. diacid residues, consisting essentially of the residues of at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, said aliphatic dicarboxylic acid comprising from about 50 to 100 mole percent, based on the total moles of diacid residues, of a cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid chosen from residues of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, or a mixture thereof; ii. diol residues, consisting essentially of about 75 to 100 mole percent, based on the total moles of diol residues, of the residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol; iii. about 2 to about 40 mole percent of the residues of at least one polyol, based on the total moles of diol and polyol residues; wherein said curable, aliphatic polyester has a number average molecular weight of from about 300 to about 10,000 daltons, a glass transition temperature of about −35 ° C. to about 35° C., a hydroxyl number of about 20 to about 450 mg KOH/ g of polyester, and an acid number of 0 to about 80 mg KOH/ g of polyester. (B). about 25 to about 88 weight percent, based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C) of at least one acrylic copolymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising at least one hydroxyl, epoxy, carboxyl, blocked phenol, or acetoacetoxy functional group; (C). about 10 to about 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of (A), (B), and (C), of at least one crosslinker chosen from epoxides, melamines, isocyanates, and isocyanurates; (D). about 10 to about 60 weight percent, based on the total weight of (A), (B), (C), and (D) of at least one non-aqueous solvent; (E). a crosslinking catalyst comprising at least one compound chosen from p-toluenesulfonic acid, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acod, dinonylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, and dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic acid, benzoic acid, triphenylphosphine, dibutyltindilaurate, and dibutyltindiacetate; and (F). at least one coating additive chosen from leveling agents, rheology agents, flow control agents, plasticizers, flatting agents, pigment wetting and dispersing agents, pigments, dyes, ultraviolet light absorbers, ultraviolet light stabilizers; defoaming agents, antifoaming agents, anti-settling agents, anti-sag agents, bodying agents, anti-skinning agents; anti-flooding agents, anti-floating agents, and corrosion inhibitors.
 15. The coating composition according to claim 14 wherein said curable, aliphatic polyester has a hydroxyl number of about 30 to about 250 mg potassium hydroxide per gram of polyester, a Tg of about −20 to about 20 ° C., an acid number of about 2 to about 15 mg potassium hydroxide per gram of polyester, and a number average molecular weight of about 700 to about 7000 daltons.
 16. The composition of claim 14, wherein said ethylenically unsaturated monomers of the acrylic copolymer (B) are chosen from at least one of acrylate, methacrylate, styrene, (meth)acrylic acid, and vinyl esters.
 17. The coating composition according to claim 14 wherein said crosslinker (C) consists essentially of at least one isocyanate chosen from isocyanurates of 4,4′-diisocyanate, methylenebis-4,4′-isocyanatocyclohexane, isophorone diisocyanate, isocyanurates of isophorone diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, isocyanurates of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-cyclohexane diisocyanate, polyisocyanates, 1,4-butylene diisocyanate, methylene bis (4-cyclohexyl isocyanate), isophorone diisocyanate and isocyanate-terminated adducts of ethylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, and trimethylol propane.
 18. The coating composition according to claim 14 wherein said nonaqueous solvent (D) consists essentially of at least one organic liquid chosen from benzene, xylene, mineral spirits, naptha, toluene, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl n-amyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, t-butyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, trimethylpentanediol mono-isobutyrate, ethylene glycol mono-octyl ether, diacetone alcohol, and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate. 